Buffalo-area GM plant adding jobs for new engines

General Motors says it expects to add more than 500 jobs at a Buffalo-area plant that will make engines for the automaker's new versions of two popular pickup trucks.

The V8 engines for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra line of pickups will go into production early next year at the GM Powertrain plant in the town of Tonawanda, just north of Buffalo. GM unveiled new versions of the trucks Thursday in Detroit.

The Tonawanda plant currently employs about 1,100 hourly and salaried workers. Officials at the plant tell local media outlets that they expect to add between 500 and 600 workers over the next year.

Plant managers say preference will go to about 300 unionized workers who could transfer to Tonawanda from former Delphi operations in nearby Lockport, Rochester and other locations.